Henry Graham Ashmead

Henry Graham Ashmead (June 30, 1838 – November 27, 1920) was an American historian, journalist, and chronicler of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. His History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania is one of the classic texts of southeastern Pennsylvania history.

Life and career

Ashmead was born in Philadelphia on June 30, 1838. His parents were John Wayne Ashmead, a successful lawyer who served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Henrietta Graham Flower. His maternal great-grandfather and namesake, Henry Hale Graham, was the first presiding judge of the Delaware County Courts of Common Pleas. Both his parents were of English descent. Ashmead attended West Chester Academy in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Saunders' Institute in West Philadelphia. As a boy, he met Edgar Allan Poe, and as a young man, he was a friend of Frank R. Stockton, who named a character in his Christmas story "Major Pendallas" after Ashmead. He also wrote several minor stage plays.